Q & A Mechanical All information that follows are opinions of individuals. The "Authority Having Jurisdiction" (local building department) has the final say in whether an installation is "to code". | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q & A Mechanical All information that follows are opinions of individuals. The "Authority Having Jurisdiction" (local building department) has the final say in whether an installation is "to code". | ||||||||||||||||||||
I've heard there have been some failures of high temperature PVC flue pipe used in 80-90% efficiency furnaces
Most 90% AFUE furnaces now use PVC Pipe and sidewall vent instead of using flue liners. There are flexible steel liners for the 80% furnaces that we use in VA. They resemble the collapsible/flexible dryer vents in use today. They install easily and are required on all (except rare cases) tile lined masonry chimneys.
"...In September, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations issued a Safety Order stating that all heating systems using the Ultravent, Sel-vent and Plexvent brands of plastic venting systems are defective...
If the heating system includes or has included Plexvent, Sel-vent or Ultravent high temperature plastic venting and any of the furnace models included in this chart the class action may be of interest.
Manufacturers
Product
Model
Hart & Cooley Inc. High Temperature Plastic Vent Ultravent Plastic Venting Plexco Inc. High Temperature Plastic Vent Plexvent Plastic Venting Selkirk Metalbestos High Temperature Plastic Vent Selvent Plastic Venting Armstrong Air Furnace Armstrong Conditioning Inc. Bryant/Day & Night Furnace 330AAV / 331AAV Carrier Canada Furnace 58TMA / 58TUA /Limited MCA080 DMO Industries Furnace Airco / Olsen Evcon Supply, Inc. Furnace CGU45 / D.S.E.80 Goodman Manufacturing Furnace Janitrol Co. Ltd. Intercity Products Furnace Arcoaire / Heil /Corporation (Canada) Keeprite /Kenmore / Tempstar Lennox Industries Furnace 80MGF / G24M(Canada) Ltd. Nordyne, Inc. Furnace Intertherm /Miller Rheem/Ruud Furnace Criterio /Manufacturing Co. Silhouet Trane Canada Furnace XE78 / XL80 York International Furnace Luxaire / York Ltd. Consolidated Furnace Quatro Industries Corp. The Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations first identified the faulty venting problem in March 1994 through a consumer alert which warned homeowners to check their plastic venting. New homeowners seeking information about how to correct the defective venting problem can call ONHWP toll-free at 1-800-387-7861..." For the complete text of this article please go to: ONHWP
The hot water pipes in my basement are wrapped in asbestos insulation. I would like to have them wrapped and sealed, rather than remove the insulation. (Better to let sleeping dogs lie.) Does anyone have experience doing this?
There are two pipe wraps I know of which encapsulate asbestos. One is fiberglass cloth impregnated with Portland cement, and the other is a regular cloth (cotton gauze, maybe) impregnated with plaster of Paris.
HVAC contractors and asbestos abatement contractors use these materials; their suppliers would have these materials. The first type is stronger and easier to work with. What's important is that they be applied properly, so there are no gaps.
One cuts the material into strips if it is not already cut up, briefly soaks it in water, and then wraps straight sections of pipe in a spiral pattern. Elbows and junctions require more care; a figure-eight wrapping pattern works for elbows.
For obvious reasons you do not want to disturb the asbestos pipe wrap. And the wrapping process will disturb it. I do not know all the proper precautions. Examples: exhaust fan to outside, wet mop area afterwards, wear approved respirator, goggles, gloves, and Tyvek coveralls. Remove and bag coveralls etc. when leaving the room; their purpose is to avoid inadvertently bringing asbestos fibers out of the room.
If the asbestos material is deteriorating or fragile, have a contractor do it. They will most likely use more elaborate and effective precautions.
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by Redwood Kardon